Music fans arrive at Glastonbury

By Kev Geoghegan
Radio 1 music reporter

Thousands of music fans have arrived at Glastonbury a day ahead of the official start of the festival.

Kate Nash kicks things off on the Pyramid stage on 27 June, with Kings of Leon in the headline slot.

But until then, quite few artists have been lined up to perform a night early on 26 June.

Although the bigger stages will stay closed, many of the smaller stages on site are already open with Santogold and Glasvegas due to play.

And many bands like Mystery Jets and Florence And The Machine will perform more than one gig through the weekend.

It's estimated around 20% of ticket holders have arrived already, with most travelling to Worthy Farm on 26 and 27 June.

Around 3000 tickets for Glastonbury remain unsold.

Fans don't want a repeat of last year's weather

Some critics, including Noel Gallagher, have blamed the choice of the festival's headliners, which include rapper Jay-Z.

Kate Nash doesn't agree.

She said: "Glastonbury has always been about music and spirit and it's always tried to be varied and interesting.

"Trying new things is Glastonbury's thing."

Unpredictable weather

Organisers Michael and Emily Eavis say sales have dropped mainly because of wet weather at two successive events in 2005 and 2007.

The weather at Glastonbury is notoriously unpredictable.

The weekend forecast is changing at an almost daily rate. At the moment, it looks like a mixture of sun and showers.

Beth Ditto from The Gossip, who play the Pyramid Stage on Friday, insists she'll be prepared this time.

She said: "I'm trying to get thigh high wellies this year. Last year, I didn't believe anyone about the mud and I was barefoot.

"It was horrible."